Modern Simple Living

Watch Log Zodiac Super Seawolf: Price, Perception, and True Value Retail Price ~$1000 Acquired Price $125 Movement STP 1-11 Table of Contents ① An Unexpected Acquisition ② Quality and Compromise: The STP 1-11 Movement ③ Comparison to my old Quartz Zodiac Sea Dragon ZO2219 Section I An Unexpected Acquisition A recent gift brought a new watch into my collection: a Zodiac Super Seawolf ZO9305. My initial thought was muted—just another dive watch. But the story behind its acquisition quickly piqued my interest. Zodiac, now under Fossil, is liquidating. This particular model, which typically retailed for over a thousand dollars, was bought for a mere $125. That stark price difference immediately commanded my attention, hinting at a broader discussion about value and perception within the watch world. It also in many ways brought me back full circle to my old Quartz Zodiac Sea Dragon ZO2219 that was in a lime green color way and I sometimes regret selling, this newer and upgraded ...

✦ ⚙ ✦ ⚙ ✦ ⚙ ✦ Watches & Horology Fossil DE-5009 Chronograph Back Again, Different This Time ⚙ ◆ ⚙ $23 Secondary Market 3 Subdials 2× Times Owned I owned a Fossil DE-5009 before and let it go. That was a mistake. A deal came up and I grabbed another one — $23 on the secondary market, which is almost embarrassing considering what I paid at full MSRP years ago. There is something about this watch that makes it more compelling now than it was then. It doesn't follow the mainstream, currently dominated by Apple smartwatches and digital Casio G-Shocks. A vintage-inspired bronze case, cream chronograph dial. The kind of watch that looks like it belongs on someone's wrist in a Jules Verne novel. Table of Contents ① Why Another One ② The Bronze & Cream Combination ③ The Trade-Offs ...

Watch Review · G-Shock The G-Shock Square Evolution DW-5600E vs. DW-5600UE 200m Water Resistance 3 Generations Compared 1987 DW-5600C Debut Table of Contents ① Overview ② The Backlight Battle ③ Comfort Out of the Box ④ The DW-5600C (Vintage) ⑤ The Verdict Overview The Gold Standard, Quietly Updated For decades, the DW-5600E has been the "Gold Standard" for G-Shock squares. It's the watch that replaced the original screw-back models in the 90s and became the definitive tool watch for millions. But recently, Casio quietly updated this legend to the DW-5600UE. I've had both on my wrist recently, and while they look nearly identical at first glance, the differences in daily wear are surprisingly distinct. Section I The Backlight Battle: EL Nostalgia vs. LED Efficiency ...

Gear & EDC Simplifying My Watch Collection Six Watches, Three Roles, One Daily Beater 6 Watches 3 Mechanical 3 Casio The Lineup Current Collection I've streamlined my collection since parting with the Apple SE2, focusing on three mechanical watches and three Casio models. This selection offers a good balance of variety and functionality. Role Watch Weight Everyday Wear Any Casio or the Rolex Explorer ~50g / ~100g Travel & Outdoors G-Shock ~50g Flashy / Occasions Omega Seamaster ~165g   What's Next Next Watch Considerations I've always h...

Gear & EDC Embracing the DW5600 G-Shock Back to Black — and Glad to Be Here The Rotation Swapping Back to the 5600 I've recently swapped back to my 5600 Casio G-Shock and found that it fits me better than the A168. My tastes in watches tend to ebb and flow, but I'm glad I held onto many of my older pieces, as they allow me the opportunity to rotate through my collection.   Why Black A Fashion Staple There's something about a G-Shock that just completes my outfit. I've finally freed myself from the allure of the Apple Watch. In my younger days, I owned various colored 5600 models, which were nice, but they lacked the versatility of the classic black 5600. While other models had better features, I now realize I should have splurged on a 5610. Nevertheless, the DW5600 suits me just fine. Colored 5600s are fun, but the black version is the one that goes with everything — the versatility gap is real. T...

Watch Reviews Casio A168WG Review Growing My Casio Collection 3 Casios in rotation 2 yrs Since last purchase 9 mo Long-term wear I recently took the plunge and added a gold Casio A168WG to my collection, marking my first watch purchase in two years. This new addition complements my silver A168 and G-Shock DW5600, bringing my digital Casio collection to three. Background Why Casio? The value proposition with Casio watches is exceptional. They offer a perfect blend of price and functionality. Lately, I've found myself feeling more self-conscious about wearing my Rolex and getting a bit bored with my Apple Watch. While both are still nice to wear (I use the Apple Watch for workouts and the Rolex for nostalgic moments), the convenience of Casio has been appealing.   First Look Initial Impressions The gold resin case of the A168WG really pops and shines, g...

Watch Journal Embracing the Charisma of the Casio A168 An inexpensive gem with charm to spare — but can it replace the Apple Watch? First Impressions Hard to Resist The Casio A168 possesses a unique charisma and charm that captivates once you experience it—this inexpensive gem is hard to resist! I'm currently debating whether to make it my daily driver again.   Update — October 14, 2023 A Few Days In I decided to wear the A168 for several days, and I've come to realize how much I rely on my Apple Watch for quick updates, like checking the weather and accessing other information that typically requires pulling out my iPhone. While the A168 is perfect for at-home use—where I only need to check the date and time—it becomes less practical when I'm outdoors. The functionality of the Apple Watch truly shines in those moments. That said, I'm glad I gave the A168 a shot. While it may have disrupted my three rings and exercise ...

Watch Journal · Travel Casio F-91W as a Souvenir Picked up in Japan for ¥2,000 — a translucent colorway you won't find easily back home ¥2,000 Price Paid ~$14.50 USD The Purchase A Japan-Exclusive Colorway I picked up a Casio F-91W while in Japan for 2000 Yen (about $14.50 USD). While this watch is quite basic and the black resin version is common and often cheaper in the States, the translucent colorways are unique to the Japanese market and typically sell for double that on Amazon. I'm not planning to sell it; it serves as an inexpensive souvenir from my time in Japan. While I'm not sure when I'd wear it, especially since my Casio A168 is a more functional option, the price made it an easy choice.   Collection Considerations Where It Fits I don't intend to count this watch toward my main collection. Instead, it'll be more of a side piece. I've been thin...

Watch Collection Watch Collections Update A year of enjoying what I have 6 Watches in Collection 0 New Purchases This Year 3 Daily Rotation Pieces Table of Contents ① The Collection ② Apple Watch Updates ③ Usage Patterns ④ Looking Ahead   Section I The Collection I've decided to skip any new watch purchases this year and focus on my current collection of six watches: → Rolex 114270 → Omega 2531.80 → Zenith Cal 126 → Casio A168 → Casio G-Shock 5600 → Apple Watch SE2 Overall, I feel quite content with this lineup. My daily wear typically consists of the Apple Watch, though I often swap it out for the A168 or G-Shock. The versatility of the humble A168 continues to impress me. ...